Great to see the excitement and enthusiasm for the challenge. Starts from weds but I'll say anyone checking in from today will make next Mondays update.

We've had a lot of sign ups, great to see so many that want to take a stand and change their lives. This is a tough challenge and however many days you have under your belt unfortunately any day could be the day we give in to temptation, yes it does get easier but we all must keep our guard up, stay strong and make the right choices. I hope we can all make the right moves and celebrate on Jan 31st in just over 3 months time. It will be a great achievement and what a way to start the new year.

Keep checking in every week, everyone stick with it and I hate to say this next bit but I will if anyone does have a slip which I hope is not the case please don't give up, most if not all have had some sort of slip on our road to recovery. Admitting it is the best cause of action and getting right back on the horse, don't let that slip take hold and be proud of your resolve in coming back. No one will be removed from this challenge (unless you ask me to) and also anyone looking to join after 1st Nov is more than welcome. If it can help you stay off gambling then go for it. That's the only aim here. I've had enough of the gambling world and I know you have to so let's complete this challenge and end the year on a fantastic note.

Christer1 sorry to hear of your relapse but great to hear you coming back and keeping up the fight. Stick with it, you know from the relapse that you ain't missing anything. Stay strong, one day at a time, create a goal maybe get to 1 day, 1 week, double figures, 1 month etc. Get those blocks in place, do what you have to do and great to have you with us for this challenge.

Checking in on 35 days - five weeks done and this has seen me do almost half my Christmas shopping ... using money I know I'd have otherwise gambled !

Not gambling for Christmas really does pay off ! We all know none of us ever wins or finds happiness through gambling.

Great to be part of the Christmas Challenge, and seeing so many people sign up. We all know that without gambling we'll have a much better time over the busy festive period, spending lots, but on our family and friends and going out to Christmas meals and parties.

Time is precious over Christmas too. Without gambling eating into our time, we will all be much more focussed on enjoying being around friends and family. Surely none of us could make the choice to gamble, if you're here at the start of the challenge and ready to quit until at least 31st January, ensure you take whatever steps to help you get there. Whether that be blocking software or handing over your bank card to someone you trust. It can be embarrassing telling someone close about your gambling issues. But it could just be the one thing you need to help you succeed.

Good morning, first update of the challenge. First off a bit of admin, if I've missed anyone off please let me know and I'll rectify asap. Also the day counts I'm getting off your account page on the day I do the update so it's an update for the week previous but the day count is from the day I do the check in, it just makes it a little easier to do the update. If you choose not to display your gamble free days on your account page, that is fine and I will put your name on the check in list and just an X for the day count. You'll see below the list of all checked in from last Monday to Sunday then a gap and the remaining members of the challenge that did not check in. If you find yourself on the second list all you need to do is check in and you'll be promoted to the top list for the following update.

I'll copy this post and add it to the first or second post on this thread as it outlines how the updates will work.

With that out the way welcome everyone to the Christmas challenge. I'm looking forward to it. I hope that it helps us all finish the year and start 2018 in the strongest way possible. Well done to all checking in for week one. Stay strong and look forward to seeing all those check ins come in.